mismatched factory wooded grips?

[tamlin99]

hello subject matter experts; I need your advice/assessment on the following:
I recently purchased a 586-1 with after market grips (original factory grips are lost across multiple owners). My goal is to return the revolver to factory configuration. I purchased a set of grips dated 1986 and when installed, the mismatch between the two halves is severe. So much mismatch, I wonder if I received a set of grips assembled from two different orphaned originals. Additionally, the wear pattern and the grain appear different between the two halves.

I would appreciate your comments regarding my mismatched grips.
Should I try to fit the two halves by removing material (wood) from the inside of the grips?

 

[VM]

They are what they are, don't worry how they got that way. (I believe they were an original set)
Do not remove any wood from inside, shape the grips on outside to match.
You can make them look like original factory and square up the edges or round the edges and make something custom to fit your hand.

 

[Laketime]

Factory rejects were quite common to come across in the state of Ma.Most of these were giving to employes as project stocks.One of my favorite stocks are a discarded pair of Coco Bolo that needed quite a bit of sanding to even out the bottom.

 

[DWalt]

If it really bothers you, just get on eBay and buy another pair of Targets in better condition.

 

[H Richard]

A file, some sandpaper, some acetone, and some tru-oil and a little time and you will have a nice looking pair of grips.

 

[clang444]

Definitely mismatched. The left grip looks like it was used on a service weapon and has the wear and dings to prove it.

Just speculating, but right grip may be a replacement for the original. If these were used in open carry by a cop or gaurd, the right grip gets more beat up than the left side on most people (right handed people). Both grips look to be recently coated with clear finish, which to me doesn't look right over the worn checkering.

If you are handy, you can make them look a whole lot better. If you aren't, your best bet is to get yourself a new set of factory grips.

 

[tamlin99]

thanks for all your advice and collective insight. Here's closure on my project

I elected to removed the mismatch between the two grip panels by sanding and then applied tru-oil to the sanded surfaces. I did not remove any finish with chemicals. I'm pleased with the results of my amateur work.

 

[Bigdog357]

Nice job, they look good

 

[pharmer]

Not quite a silk purse but sure ain't the sow's ear you started with. Nice save. Joe

 

[bigsteve113]

Looks good. Now your set!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

They look good!